KOTA KINABALU: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) registered 628 complaints nationwide since it was formed three years ago.

Selangor tops the list with most complaints lodged (166) followed by Kuala Lumpur with 161 complaints and Johor (44 complaints).

However, the commission only recieved one complaint over the past three years from Labuan after Terengganu (3), Perlis (3), Sabah (11) and Sarawak (12).

Complaints were also received from Penang (41), Putrajaya (36), Perak (33), Negri Sembilan (33), Kedah (33), Pahang (20), Malacca (17), and Kelantan (13).

Its chairman Datuk Heliliah Mohd Yusof said the complaints increased tremendously over the years as the public became aware of the commission's existence.

"However, there is a high posibility that there could be more complaints lodged if the commission branch out to other states.

"There are not many complaints from Sabah and Sabahans may not know how to go about it.

"There was a suggestion to establish a unit in Sabah and Sarawak but this will be up to the government."

EAIC held a dialogue for the first time in Sabah with representatives from the state enforcement agencies. It is aimed at providing understanding on the commission's role and function.

The establishment of EAIC was the government's initiative in efforts to boost integrity among enforcement agencies and personnel.

EAIC officials were given the mandate to receive complaints of misconduct of any such person and investigate the complaints, including conduct hearings.

Its operation unit director Ahmad Razif Mohd Sidek said complaints were made by individuals.

"Of the 628 complaints, 236 were rejected as they are baseless while others have been referred to the disciplinary authority and Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission."

He added complaints varied from personal to corruption and misconduct of government officials.

Sumber :  New Straits Times